Toyota gets new hybrid sedan, sibling to Lexus HS 250h

AVANTI R5 · 09-30-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

TOKYO -- The Toyota brand is getting its first dedicated hybrid sedan, a sister model to the Lexus HS 250h that will sport a more powerful engine than the Prius hatchback.

The car, to be named the Toyota Sai, will go on sale in Japan on Oct. 20, Toyota Motor Corp. said today. The Sai will be the second model marketed as a hybrid-only offering under the Toyota badge, after the Prius.

Toyota did not say whether the Sai will go on sale in the United States. Spokespeople in Tokyo declined to give additional details on the model.

A dealer in Japan said the car will share the same platform and hybrid drivetrain as the Lexus HS 250h. That car, Lexus' first hybrid-only ride, arrived in Japanese showrooms in July.
The HS 250h went on sale in the U.S. in mid-September.

The Sai will have the same 2.4-liter gasoline engine, bigger than the 1.8-liter powerplant in the Prius. But its exterior and interior will differ from the HS 250h, the dealer said.
Toyota has not announced pricing

http://www.autonews.com/article/2009...909309994/1186

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subyski · 09-30-2009, 01:43 PM

Besides a more powerful engine, its too similar in size with the Prius.

It could be used as competition with the Civic Hybrid.

aren040 · 09-30-2009, 01:45 PM

Is this what we have been hearing with Toyota wanting to make more cars called the Prius? Perhaps a Prius sedan, Prius Hatch or wagon, and a Prius Coupe down the line?

SLegacy99 · 09-30-2009, 03:27 PM

I think it would sell here. However, Toyota has got to get their new 2.5L I4 coupled to their hybrid driver before I am interested.

registering · 10-01-2009, 08:13 AM

I think this is great news. I like the 250H in everything but styling (I think it looks horrible), so maybe a restyled 250H would end-up looking good. Don't know. Seems like branding it a Prius here in NA would be a smart way to start off their "Prius" brand.

sgilson · 10-01-2009, 01:26 PM

I saw a commercial for this. It said the car was between 34 and 39 grand. It will be roughly the same price as the Volt, but not nearly as sophisticated. It looks OK, but certainly not breaking any new technological barriers.

aren040 · 10-01-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgilson

I saw a commercial for this. It said the car was between 34 and 39 grand. It will be roughly the same price as the Volt, but not nearly as sophisticated. It looks OK, but certainly not breaking any new technological barriers.

Yes, but I bet it will be much better equipped than a Volt will. This is essentially a Luxury Prius, so taking that into account the 35 to 40 grand price tag makes sense.

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09-30-2009, 01:43 PM	#2
subyski Scooby Specialist Member#: 202642 Join Date: Nov 2007 Chapter/Region: RMIC Location: Centennial, Colorado Vehicle: '08 2.5i,'65 Stang '80 Vette L82,'73 914 2.0	Besides a more powerful engine, its too similar in size with the Prius. It could be used as competition with the Civic Hybrid.

09-30-2009, 01:45 PM	#3
aren040 Scooby Specialist Member#: 74215 Join Date: Nov 2004 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: S. California Vehicle: 2007 987 Silver-ish	Is this what we have been hearing with Toyota wanting to make more cars called the Prius? Perhaps a Prius sedan, Prius Hatch or wagon, and a Prius Coupe down the line?

09-30-2009, 03:27 PM	#4
SLegacy99 Scooby Specialist Member#: 117504 Join Date: Jun 2006 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: PA Vehicle: 1999 Legacy Lmtd 5MT Red	I think it would sell here. However, Toyota has got to get their new 2.5L I4 coupled to their hybrid driver before I am interested.

10-01-2009, 08:13 AM	#5
registering Scooby Specialist Member#: 89332 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Florida Vehicle: 2007 Miata Silver	I think this is great news. I like the 250H in everything but styling (I think it looks horrible), so maybe a restyled 250H would end-up looking good. Don't know. Seems like branding it a Prius here in NA would be a smart way to start off their "Prius" brand.

10-01-2009, 01:26 PM	#6
sgilson Scooby Newbie Member#: 161746 Join Date: Oct 2007	I saw a commercial for this. It said the car was between 34 and 39 grand. It will be roughly the same price as the Volt, but not nearly as sophisticated. It looks OK, but certainly not breaking any new technological barriers.